Chinese Character: 垒
1. Character Basics
Radical: 土 (earth/soil radical)
Stroke Count: 9
Stroke Order:
2. Pronunciation
Pinyin: lěi (Third tone)
3. Meaning
To build; to construct; to pile up; to stack; to heap; to accumulate; rampart; wall; barrier;垒球 (softball)
4. Common Words
- 堡垒 (bǎolěi) - fortress; fort; stronghold
- 垒球 (lěiqiú) - softball
- 垒砌 (lěiqì) - to build by piling up bricks/stones
- 垒墙 (lěiqiáng) - to build a wall
- 壁垒 (bìlěi) - rampart; barrier; enmity
- 对垒 (duìlěi) - to confront each other; to face off
- 积垒 (jīlěi) - to accumulate; to pile up
- 石垒 (shílěi) - stone wall; stone pile
5. Grammar & Usage
The character "垒" is primarily used as a verb meaning "to build" or "to pile up," but it can also function as a noun referring to structures built by piling materials.
Grammar Patterns:
- 作为动词: 垒砖 (to pile bricks), 垒墙 (to build a wall)
- 作为名词: 堡垒 (fortress), 壁垒 (rampart)
- 复合词: 垒球 (softball), 对垒 (to confront)
- 常见结构: 把...垒起来 (to pile up...)
6. Cultural Background
The character "垒" has cultural significance in Chinese history and traditions:
In ancient China, defensive walls and fortresses (堡垒) were essential for protecting cities and territories. The Great Wall of China, although primarily referred to as "长城" (Great Wall), incorporates many垒 structures.
The term "壁垒分明" (bìlěi fēnmíng) describes a situation where opposing sides are clearly defined, like the walls between them. This idiom is often used in political contexts or competitive situations.
In modern times, "垒球" (softball) has become a popular sport in China, especially among women. The term literally translates to "pile ball," referencing the base垒s used in the game.
The character's radical "土" (earth/soil) reflects its original association with building and construction using earth materials.
7. Example Sentence
中文: 工人们正在垒墙，准备建造新房子。
Pinyin: Gōngrénmen zhèngzài lěi qiáng, zhǔnbèi jiànzào xīn fángzi.
English: Workers are building a wall, preparing to construct a new house.
8. Memory Tips
The character "垒" (lěi) can be remembered by breaking it down into its components:
- The bottom part is "土" (earth/soil radical), which relates to its meaning of building and construction
- The top part consists of three "厶" shapes, which can be visualized as three separate elements being piled up
To remember the character, think of it as "three elements piled on top of earth," which directly relates to its meaning of piling up or building with materials like earth, bricks, or stones.
Associate the character with common words like "堡垒" (fortress) and "垒球" (softball) to reinforce its meaning and usage in different contexts.
Practice writing the character following the stroke order to help remember its structure, focusing on the three components on top of the earth radical.